Liverpool could sign ideal Darwin Nunez competition for free if transfer gamble pays off

It looks set to be a busy few months for Liverpool as the Arne Slot era gets underway in earnest. The transfer window is now open, and it’s a chance for the new head coach to put his stamp on the side.

Sporting director Richard Hughes will be in charge of bringing some fresh blood to Anfield, with a few obvious areas to target. Defense looks set to be the priority, with a new number six and a winger potentially also on the shopping list.

Much further down though will be a new striker. Liverpool does have plenty of options in that department, with Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota all regularly filling the role.

READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Alvin Ayman deal, Riccardo Calafiori inquiry, Kvaratskhelia statement
READ MORE: Simon Jordan explains why Liverpool might have a problem with Arne Slot

That doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be an area to look at soon though. Gakpo has already shown at Euro 2024 that the left-hand side remains his best position, while there are still doubts over Nunez.

The Uruguay international was favored to lead the line by Jurgen Klopp for most of the 2023/24 season, although his campaign was bookended by spells out of the side. Despite showing improvements on his first season at Anfield, his wastefulness in front of goal remains a major concern, and one some feel may not be solved.

Liverpool though looks set to keep the faith for at least another year. The Telegraph reported earlier in the summer that Slot had identified Nunez as a ‘crucial’ player moving forward. Should he decide to twist though, there could be another superb option available for free soon.

Ivan Toney’s future at Brentford remains up in the air. Having been linked with Arsenal for so long, the links have gone cold, with Tottenham now seemingly the club most interested. Even then, Spurs have reportedly seen an offer of $51m (£40m/€47m) rejected (as per Football Transfers) after falling well below Brentford’s valuation of $83m (£65m/€77m).

With just one year remaining on his deal, Brentford could risk losing the Toney for free next year if a buyer can’t be found this summer. If it were to get that far, he’s a player Liverpool should perhaps consider to offer some competition to Nunez, or perhaps even replace him.

Klopp was a fan of the England international, and was spotted sharing a conversation with Toney following Liverpool’s win at Brentford back in February.

"It was like I was smiling at him, as he's obviously quite a handful and really tricky to play against — although I used a different word,” Klopp said at the time. “Am I right that he's a Liverpool supporter and he's not shy of saying that?”

You are right Jurgen. Toney revealed he is a Liverpool fan when speaking on the Diary of a CEO podcast last year.

“I’ve been a Liverpool fan my whole life but, from young, I’ve liked watching Arsenal and how they play,” Toney said. “But yeah, I’m a Liverpool boy, a Liverpool fan at heart.”

It might be fair to assume then that Toney would jump at the chance to join the Reds if the chance arose. If a move doesn’t materialize for him this summer, it’s certainly something Liverpool should keep in mind next year.